Paul has set forth in 1:1-23 the centrality of Christ. Christ is the firstborn of creation – he is also the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
This is what Paul's ministry is all about. 1:24-2:5 explains how Paul thinks of his own ministry as pre-eminently Christ-centered.
The goal of Paul's ministry is laid out clearly for us - that he might present everyone mature – perfect – in Christ Jesus.
And toward this end there are three things which Paul does: 1) he suffers 2) he ministers 3) and he preaches
And as he makes clear in verse 29, it is the working of Christ within him that enables him to labor and to strive.
And what is true for Paul is true for every Christian pastor – and indeed, for every Christian! "His energy that he powerfully works within me"
After all, Christ has joined himself to our humanity, in order that he might join us to God!
But that means that as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, this is my calling: to suffer, to minister, and to preach, so that I might present you perfect/mature in Christ Jesus.
So let us look at how Paul views his own ministry, and what that teaches us about who Christ is, what he has done for us, who we are in Christ, and what that means for our lives.
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